Ammon Bundy, a leader of a group of militants occupying a wildlife refuge in eastern Oregon, said during a news conference Sunday morning that the group has no intention of violence unless the government acts against them.

Ammon Bundy, son of Nevada rancher Clive Bundy, would not disclose how many militants are occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters.

The occupation began when self-described militiamen from several states came to Burns to protest the impending imprisonment of two Harney County ranchers. Some time after the rally, key militia leaders broke off and drove across the high desert basin south of Burns to the wildlife refuge. They said they took over the refuge headquarters, which was unoccupied for the holiday weekend.

During the news conference, Bundy said no one was at the headquarters when the group arrived. He said the group has damaged no buildings and only plan to use it as a base. The group has said it is prepared to occupy the headquarters for years.

Bundy said the group has had no communication with the government or law enforcement officials, who have not intervened. Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward said in a statement late Saturday that "a collective effort from multiple agencies is currently working on a solution."